Joining a Choir for the First Time? Here's What It's Actually Like
Thinking about joining a choir but feeling a bit nervous?
You're definitely not alone.
Every week I meet people who tell me things like...
"I can't actually sing."
"Everyone else will be better than me."
"I'll have to sing on my own."
"It's probably really serious."
Honestly? They're the things I hear the most.
The good news is... choir probably isn't what you think it is.
Choir for Beginners
When people hear the word choir, they often imagine standing in rows with sheet music, singing classical music and getting told off every time they sing a wrong note.
That might be some choirs.
It's definitely not ours.
At Feel Good Choir, we sing because we enjoy it.
We laugh.
We make mistakes.
Sometimes someone comes in too early.
Sometimes we all forget the words.
Sometimes I do!
Nobody minds.
The whole point is to enjoy singing together, have a laugh and leave feeling better than when you arrived.
One of the things I love most about choir is that everyone joins for different reasons.
Some people want to improve their singing.
Some have just moved to Madrid and want to meet new people.
Some are looking for a hobby.
Others simply want one evening a week where they can switch off from work and do something for themselves.
Whatever your reason, you'll fit right in.
You don't need experience.
You don't need to read music.
And you'll never be asked to sing on your own unless you want to.
We have everyone from people who've only ever sung in the shower to people who've performed on stage before.
Most people are somewhere in between.
That's exactly why it works.
What Happens in Your First Session?
This is probably the question I get asked the most.
You arrive, say hello to a few people and we get started.
We always begin with a warm up, but don't worry... it's nothing scary.
We usually use the chorus of a really well known song and sing it in lots of different ways. Usually slightly silly ways!
It gets everyone laughing, wakes up your voice and helps you forget about those first day nerves.
The best part is that everybody does it together.
Whether it's your very first rehearsal or you've been coming for years, you're all making exactly the same noises.
After that, we split into harmony groups.
If you've never sung in a choir before, you're probably thinking...
"What's a harmony?"
Don't worry.
A harmony is simply another tune that fits alongside the main melody.
You'll listen to the different parts and decide whether you'd like to sing the higher, middle or lower harmony.
If you're not sure, I'll help you.
And here's something lots of people don't realise...
You're never stuck there.
If halfway through the rehearsal you think another part suits your voice better, just move.
If you want to try something different the following week, brilliant.
It's completely flexible.
Then we all come back together and sing the song as one choir.
Every single week there's a moment where everyone looks around the room thinking...
"Did we actually just make that?"
It's honestly one of my favourite parts of every rehearsal.
By the second week it usually sounds like we've been singing the song for months.
Do You Need Experience?
No.
Honestly, most of our members had never sung in a choir before.
The trickiest part for beginners usually isn't singing.
It's singing a harmony.
Your brain naturally wants to sing the tune you already know, so learning a completely different melody can feel a bit strange at first.
That's completely normal.
I always tell people to do whatever feels comfortable.
If you want to spend a few weeks singing the melody while you settle in, absolutely fine.
If you'd like to have a go at the harmony, brilliant.
There isn't a right or wrong way.
The most important thing is that you enjoy yourself.
Nobody is judging you.
Nobody expects you to get everything right.
You'll be amazed how quickly your confidence grows just by singing with other people.
It's About More Than Singing
People often join because they want to sing.
They stay because of the people.
Outside rehearsals we organise open mic nights, karaoke evenings, park jams, socials, concerts and performances throughout the year.
Some of my favourite moments aren't even during rehearsals.
They're watching people who didn't know each other a few months ago arranging dinner after choir, meeting for coffee or turning up together at karaoke.
That's what Feel Good Choir is all about.
It's a lovely community where people support each other, have fun and happen to sing some great songs along the way.
How to Get Started?
Honestly...
Just come and try it.
That's why we offer a trial rehearsal.
It's not an audition.
You're not coming along so I can decide whether you're good enough.
You're coming to see whether you enjoy it.
Every choir is different.
Some people love a very traditional choir with sheet music.
Others are looking for somewhere they can switch off after work, sing songs they actually know, meet lovely people and have a laugh.
Neither is right or wrong.
The only way you'll know is by coming along and seeing what it's like.
If you come and decide it isn't for you, that's absolutely fine.
If you leave thinking...
"I can't wait until next week."
...then you've probably found your choir.
If you've been thinking about joining a choir for a while, we'd love to meet you.
FAQs
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No! Feel Good Choir is completely non auditioned and everyone is welcome.
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Honestly, that's probably the most common thing people say before they come. Singing is a skill, and you'll improve much more quickly than you think.
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No. We learn everything by ear, so you don't need any experience reading sheet music.
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No. Unless you decide you'd like to, you'll always sing as part of the choir.
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Don't worry... we all do sometimes! Choir is about learning together, not being perfect.
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Absolutely. Lots of people do, and you'll soon get chatting to everyone.
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We have Pop & Rock Choirs and a Musical Theatre Choir, so there's something for everyone. We love singing well known songs that people enjoy.
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Our one hour choirs are €30 per month.
Our 90 minute choirs are €40 per month and include an extra 30 minutes of vocal technique, harmony practice, improvisation and musicianship.
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Come anyway.
The worst that can happen is you spend an hour singing some great songs with some lovely people.
The best that can happen?
You find your new favourite part of the week. 💛
